Week 4: The Legislature

Question 1

What is the term for a parliament with two chambers?

Answer 1

Bicameral

Question 2

How many members of parliament are there?

Answer 2

650

Question 3

How many members are needed for a majority?

Answer 3

326.

Question 4

What are the three primary functions of Parliament?

Answer 4

1. Formation of Government
2. Holding Government to account
3. Making laws

Question 5

What system is used by parliament

Answer 5

First past the post

Question 6

What was the proposed change offered in a referendum in 2011?

Answer 6

Alternative Voting Referendum

Question 7

What percentage is required to be automatically declared the winner in the alternative voting system?

Answer 7

50%.

Question 8

What is the issue with FPTP

Answer 8

Not representative of electorate.

Question 9

What were the two circumstances under which the FTPA allowed for a snap election?

Answer 9

1. 2/3 majority.
2. Vote of no confidence and failure to build a government in 14 days.

Question 10

What is the name of the Act which reversed FTPA?

Answer 10

Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022

Question 11

Does the DCPA allow the PM to be litigated for calling an early general election?

Answer 11

No.

Question 12

What is the Sailsbury Convention.

Answer 12

Lords cannot reject a bill that was contained within the governments manifesto.

Question 13

What is the exception outlined in the Parliament Act 1911

Answer 13

Lords must assent to an extension of Parliaments life.

Question 14

How long can the Lords delay money bills?

Answer 14

1 month.

Question 15

How long can Lords delay a non-money bills?

Answer 15

1 year.

Question 16

Which case highlighted that the Commons could not pass a bill repealing the 1911 Parliament Act, followed by an act extending the parliaments life.

Answer 16

R (Jackson) v Attorney General

Question 17

What are the two key features of parliamentary privilege?

Answer 17

1. Freedom of speech
2. exclusive cognisance

Question 18

Which Act guarantees parliamentary privilege

Answer 18

The Bill of Rights 1689, Art IX

Question 19

‘What is said in within the laws of parliament cannot be inquired into by a court of law’

Answer 19

Bradlaugh v Gosset

Question 20

‘Courts determines the scope of parliamentary privilege, but once a subject matter falls within parliamentary privilege, courts cannot question it’

Answer 20

Stockdayle v Hansard

Question 21

‘The extent of parliamentary privilege is ultimately a matter for the court’

Answer 21

Chaytor